Toxic Chemical

Trump's halting of EPA limits on PFAS in drinking water "a tragic setback," Long Island environmentalist says

Trump's halting of EPA limits on PFAS in drinking water "a tragic setback," Long Island environmentalist says

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- President Donald Trump has withdrawn a Biden administration plan to set new limits on chemical discharge into drinking water

State regulators around the U.S. had been waiting for the Environmental Protection Agency to take the lead on PFAS requirements so they could incorporate effective monitoring and treatment into their discharge permits.

Navy will test private drinking water wells near the former Grumman plant in Calverton for PFAS

Navy will test private drinking water wells near the former Grumman plant in Calverton for PFAS

The U.S. Navy has agreed to test private drinking water wells near the former Grumman facility in Calverton for PFAS.

Navy representatives will be on hand at an open house in Riverhead on Wednesday evening, Jan. 22 to discuss the sampling and schedule appointments with property owners. 

Senator Harckham, Assemblymember Otis, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Protect Clean Water in State Budget

Senator Harckham, Assemblymember Otis, and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Protect Clean Water in State Budget

New York State Senator Peter Harckham and State Assemblymember Steve Otis joined labor unions, local leaders, and environmental organizations at the Ossining Water Treatment Plan today to urge Governor Hochul to continue New York’s commitment to clean water programs in the upcoming state budget. Attendees, including members of the New York Clean Water Coalition, called on the Governor to invest $600 million in the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in her executive budget proposal for FY2025-2026.

Northrop Grumman's soil sample plan for Bethpage Community park needs 'enhancements'

Northrop Grumman's soil sample plan for Bethpage Community park needs 'enhancements'

State officials have called on Northrop Grumman to propose a more stringent plan to investigate the extent of contaminated soil at Bethpage Community Park, the former dumping grounds of Grumman Aerospace.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation action comes weeks after the agency accused the Town of Oyster Bay of causing delays to the prolonged cleanup.

EPA restricts cancer-causing chemicals TCE, PCE found in Long Island groundwater

EPA restricts cancer-causing chemicals TCE, PCE found in Long Island groundwater

The federal government’s decision this week to ban or strictly limit use of two toxic chemicals known to cause cancer will restrict a pair of pollutants that have contaminated Long Island's groundwater for decades, advocates said.

Here’s what Lee Zeldin’s voting record may mean for the EPA

Here’s what Lee Zeldin’s voting record may mean for the EPA

Lee Zeldin is one Trump nominee who cannot be easily put into a box.

When Adrienne Esposito, executive director of a New York environmental group, appealed to the then-congressman to keep funding for Long Island Sound restoration in the federal budget, he and two other representatives from the state secured the reauthorization of $65 million per year in 2018.

About Trump's Nomination of Lee Zeldin to Head EPA

About Trump's Nomination of Lee Zeldin to Head EPA

  “Unqualified,” declared Ben Jealous, executive director of the Sierra Club, about Lee Zeldin being nominated by President-elect Trump to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Former A.K. Allen Co. property, a state Superfund site, is treated for contaminants, officials say

Former A.K. Allen Co. property, a state Superfund site, is treated for contaminants, officials say

A former manufacturing plant in Mineola that became a state Superfund site has been remediated and no longer poses an environmental or public health threat, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.

EPA nominee Lee Zeldin has backed environmental causes, but not all are convinced

EPA nominee Lee Zeldin has backed environmental causes, but not all are convinced

WASHINGTON — Six years ago, more than 300 Long Islanders showed up on short notice during a nor’easter for a Friday afternoon hearing in Brookhaven to tell Trump administration officials they opposed plans to allow drilling for oil in the Atlantic Ocean.

Military adopts ‘action level’ policy for PFAS cleanup that’s 3 times federal EPA standard

Military adopts ‘action level’ policy for PFAS cleanup that’s 3 times federal EPA standard

The Defense Department's new policy allows the Navy to further delay action to remedy drinking water contamination by plume migrating off Calverton site.

It’s easy to comply with the rules if you’re the one writing them.

Governor Hochul Announces More Than $435 Million in State Grants for Local Water Infrastructure Improvements

Governor Hochul Announces More Than $435 Million in State Grants for Local Water Infrastructure Improvements

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $435 million is being awarded to 102 critical water infrastructure projects across New York State through the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs. The grants awarded by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) deliver on Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024 State of the State to help small, rural and disadvantaged communities with their water infrastructure needs. With critical financial support for local governments across New York, Governor Hochul is laying the foundation for a healthier, more resilient future, ensuring every New Yorker has access to safe and clean water, while creating jobs and boosting the economy.

Brookhaven landfill fire may be a result of recent drought and high temperatures

Brookhaven landfill fire may be a result of recent drought and high temperatures

It's been cited for violations by the state in the past.

The more than 270-foot Brookhaven landfill caught fire Wednesday, and it could be in part because of the weather.

2024 Long Island Business Influencers

2024 Long Island Business Influencers

Adrienne Esposito
Executive Director
Citizens Campaign for the Environment

As executive director and a co-founder of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Adrienne Esposito has worked on numerous environmental campaigns for more than 35 years.  

The Fate of the State’s Abandoned Oil Wells May Depend on the Presidential Election

The Fate of the State’s Abandoned Oil Wells May Depend on the Presidential Election

Mike Hastings, 41, has lived in Western New York his entire life. His home, which he shares with his wife and three children, is situated on 170 acres of forested land near the town of Allegany. The property is home to a winding creek and a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, coyotes and foxes. It also contains 80 abandoned oil wells, remnants of a 19th-century drilling boom in the region.

DEC adopts final rules limiting 1,4 dioxane in consumer products

DEC adopts final rules limiting 1,4 dioxane in consumer products

Regulations limiting the amount of the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane in consumer products in New York State were adopted in final form by the State Department of Environmental Conservation last month.

New York First to Ban Harmful Chemical Found in Shampoo, Cleaning Products

New York First to Ban Harmful Chemical Found in Shampoo, Cleaning Products

On September 18th, new regulations were announced, adopting new regulations to reduce the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleaning, personal care, and cosmetic products.

According to Sean Mahar, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar, New York State is the first in the country to adopt regulations that reduce 1,4-dioxane in these product categories to help protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities.

State finalizes rules for chemical 1,4-dioxane in household products

State finalizes rules for chemical 1,4-dioxane in household products

The state finalized regulations this week to limit a chemical classified as a likely human carcinogen in certain household products sold in New York, making it clear no products will be able to get waivers starting in 2026.

But more than 1,000 products with higher levels of the chemical 1,4-dioxane manufactured by various companies — mostly shampoos, shower gels and body washes — are still allowed to be sold due to waivers issued from the state that expire at the end of the year.

DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products

DEC Finalizes Regulations Restricting 1,4-Dioxane in Consumer Products

Measure Protects Public Health and Environment by Reducing Harmful Emerging Contaminant in Cleaning, Personal Care, and Cosmetic Products

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the adoption of new regulations to reduce the presence of 1,4-dioxane in household cleansing, personal care, and cosmetic products. New York is the first state in the nation to adopt regulations that reduce 1,4-dioxane in these product categories to help protect consumers and natural resources and create healthier communities.  

Long Island water quality continues to improve. Here's what a new report says.

Long Island water quality continues to improve. Here's what a new report says.

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- A new report released on Thursday says drinking water is slowly getting safer on Long Island.

The findings credit stringent state and federal guidelines and mandatory chemical filtering from water suppliers. As CBS News New York's Jennifer McLogan reports, although multiple water districts exceed limits, there is overall growing improvement.

Long Island water quality improves as toxic chemical levels decline: report

Long Island water quality improves as toxic chemical levels decline: report

Long Island water shows decline in toxic chemicals

Despite concerns about Long Island’s drinking water, a Citizens Campaign for the Environment report shows levels of two toxic chemicals have decreased since the nonprofit's 2016 analysis. FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg breaks down the findings and if residents should be concerned.